Today at the Shrine of St. John Paul II, the President stood before the statue of the pope who condemned racism as a sin, who warned against "self-exaltation" of nations and who actively supported protesters during the Solidarity movement in Poland in their fight for justice. 
The President's actions and words over the last several days have been a rejection of the legacy of St. John Paul II, who always asked us to side with those who were poor and struggling, and to work tirelessly for the promotion of justice, especially for those on the margins
"Love for others, and in the first place love for the poor, in whom the Church sees Christ himself, is made concrete in the promotion of justice," wrote John Paul II in his encyclical "Centesimus Annus," one of his many writings on the poor, on justice and on human dignity.
I agree with Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington, DC: Using a Catholic shrine honoring a man dedicated to peace and justice as a photo op, a few hours after turning out peaceful protesters in front of a church with tear gas for another photo op, was "reprehensible."
Photo @CatholicNewsSvc
